Saturday Night Live Announcer Don Pardo Dies

Don Pardo, the man who generations grew up with as the voice of “Saturday Night Live,” has died at the age of 96. The Hollywood Reporter stated that Pardo died in his sleep Monday evening. Pardo spent 38 seasons with the historic television sketch comedy show. He missed two episodes in March 2013 after breaking his hip.

Pardo became the first announcer inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame due to his work not just with “Saturday Night Live,” but with “Jeopardy,” “The Price Is Right” and other programs. Pardo also announced the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, when Pardo was working as a NBC staff announcer.

“Every year the new cast couldn’t wait to hear their name said by him,” said Michaels to the New York Times. Michaels also said that there will be a tribute to Pardo in the upcoming season, which will air this fall. “It was a happy accident and in some great way our lives intertwined,” he said. “…Whatever montage we did to open the show, whatever pictures we used, it didn’t really come alive ’till you heard him say it.”

“Saturday Night Live” is, in a way, defined by Pardo’s voice. It’s certainly not going to be the same now that he’s gone. What are your memories of Pardo and “Saturday Night Live”? Give you opinions in the comments section below.